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DATE: June 14, 2016 11:09:49 AM GMT-0400

392nd Army Band invites public to farewell concert

FORT LEE, Va. – Media and community members are invited to the 392nd Army Band Farewell Concert featuring returning alumni and special guests June 18, 3 p.m., at the Lee Theater. The concert heralds the inactivation of the unit this year due to Army force structure cuts driven by fiscal constraints resulting from the Budget Control Act of 2011.

The 392nd traces its history to the 1940s. After its inactivation, it will be replaced by about a dozen Soldier musicians in a detachment of the Army Training and Doctrine Command Band – all part of the Army’s reshaping efforts to meet future operational mission demands. While the inactivation doesn’t officially occur until Oct. 1, the size of the band is already being reduced to the detachment level.

“The first half of the concert will feature spotlight performances and fun pieces by our current 30-member formation,” said Warrant Officer Kevin L. Pick, the band’s director. “For the second half, about 40 band alumni – some from the 40s and 50s – will join the current musicians on stage. The combined band will perform standard Army tunes. We anticipate having lots of fun and a great show of musicianship.”

Pick said installation leaders are expected to make remarks during the concert. The performance will run about an hour-and-a-half.

Several past band commanders have been invited and at least one is expected to attend, Pick said. He will be selecting the music to be performed.

“We have sent music to our alumni who have confirmed they will attend,” he said. “A two-hour rehearsal is set for that morning for the approximately 70-member combined band. We want to make sure we’re all on the same page.”

He said, “During the 392nd portion of the concert, we will feature a work “Declaration 1776” originally commissioned by one of our former commanders.

“We also will showcase a work by Spc. David Dormeus, one of our young Soldiers, who has created a piece called ‘American Anthem.’ He is a talented arranger and has tailored the work for the 392nd to perform.”

Pick said the band members have been gathering old photos and awards, and many will be displayed at the concert. Photos also will be posted to the band’s Facebook page.

The concert is free and open to the public and tickets are not required. Fort Lee visitors who don’t have a DOD-issued identification card or post pass will be required to complete a background check to access the post. For more information about this requirement, visit www.lee.army.mil/pmo/access.aspx. The visitor control center at the Sisisky gate issues passes on weekends.

Media planning to attend the event must contact Sarah Gauvin at (804) 734-6965, 400-7273 or sarah.r.gauvin.civ@mail.mil by 3 p.m. Friday, June 17, for escort instructions.